Edgar Hugh Michael McCann (SN 541) born at Mooroopna, was a married 32 year old labourer when he enlisted in Ballarat on April 3rd 1916. Assigned to the 39th Infantry Battalion he embarked aboard the Ascanius on May 27th and sailed to England. He spent an extended time at Bulford Hospital before joining his unit in France in March 1917.On February 24th 1918 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand, which was originally deemed ‘accidental’ but after an enquiry was described as ‘negligently self-inflicted’. In August 1918 he was transferred to the Australian Employment Corps. He returned to Australia aboard the Port Denison, disembarked at Melbourne on March 25th 1919 and was discharged on June 24th.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Edgar M. M. McCann.